Children risk death by throwing stones at cars in deadly A1 pranks

Ross Robertson

Police are carrying out enquiries after two reports of children throwing stones at cars on the A1.

At 9:38pm on Monday, October 19, police received a report that a stone had been dropped from a footbridge onto the windscreen of a car causing it to smash. The incident happened at the area near to the Angel of the North while the car was driving on the A1 northbound.

The driver managed to safely pull over to the side of the road.

Around the same time a taxi driver who was driving on the A1 southbound, again near to the Angel of the North, also had an object thrown from a footbridge at his car. It hit and damaged his windscreen. Again, the driver was able to pull over safely.

Although no one was injured in these incidents this behaviour is extremely dangerous and could put peoples' lives at risk on the roads.

Gateshead Neighbourhood Inspector Mick Robson said: "This behaviour is incredibly dangerous and is putting lives at risk on the roads. I hope whoever has done this realises the potential consequences of their actions and that their behaviour could result in someone being killed or seriously injured.

"From our enquiries we think it is children that are doing this and officers are visiting schools in the area today to speak to pupils and identify and take action against those responsible. They face being arrested and having a criminal record. I'd urge people to report anyone they see throwing stones at cars to police and we will take action."

Anyone with any information into the incidents is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference number 1167 191015.